‘I like to beautify the ugly and uglify the beautiful’: Returning to interview Sophie McQue, a Gen Z poet

Written by Tanzi Stewart-Stewart

Loyal listeners may remember Sophie McQue from her interview about her and her friend Rosie’s feminist book club, Tongues of Stone. But a book club is dedicated to other authors, and Sophie herself has recently been published in a feminist zine, Blood Orange Zine, based here in Liverpool.

Sitting in Sophie’s bedroom now, it is every inch a bohemian muse’s boudoir draped in white lace and adorned with biblical iconography. Even my interviewee herself is decorated similarly, with a stick and poke of the virgin mary on one arm and ropes of pearls and crosses cascading over her other shoulder. She is an atheist, of course.

I previously interviewed Sophie on The Young Ones on the topic of young women in literature in Liverpool. On that note, Blood Orange is a queer feminist zine, with themes such as female rage, female friendships, and reclaiming the night. Their most recent publication was on the theme of Body, and both Sophie’s first publication and public poetry reading. I enjoyed my first interview with Sophie so much, and am so interested in the topic myself, that I wanted to revisit her on the occasion of her first publication.

How did you approach the body brief?

‘I already had poems written. I had actually submitted to their female friendships theme but they didn’t publish it. But this next theme, body, I always write from the body about the body, and they published it. I always use themes of the grotesque…’

Is the female body inherently political to you?

“Yeah. Yes of course… Females have always been kind of looked at through their body and been put at a disadvantage for that. However, I don’t tend to always explore that in my writing. I explore the grotesque. Because I think women’s bodies are often expected to be held up as clean and sexy in a lot of media and I like to confront the abject and the grotesque in my writing. I like to beautify the ugly and uglify the beautiful. I confront the grotesqueness of my body while using very feminine and floral language. I use a lot of animal imagery, feminine colours, and stuff. Delicate things that represent femininity – it makes it a bit creepier I think, approaching the abject from a hyper-feminine angle.”

What was the reading like?

Well.. I mean I was terrified! And they forgot about me. There was a woman there, the creator of the magazine’s old tutor, and she went up and reminded her, so I was the closing act which was daunting for my first ever reading.. However by the end of it I was a little bit tipsy so that helped! I felt empowered- I got a nice cheer from all my friends, and I felt proud of my writing. I just had a feeling that it would be something people resonated with. It gave me confidence knowing that I could read my work with a northern accent. I speak a little bit drab. All my vowels are quite… What’s the word… flat?

(Sophie is from the North-East, with a Mackem accent.)

Final Question… What’s your favourite line from your poem?

Oooh! Dirty screw. May pole spine

For a deeper discussion on women in literature, I encourage you to revisit our broadcast on young women in literature where I originally interviewed Sophie on her book club, available below (Interview begins at 27:58).

You can find Sophie’s work on @dreamboatsophie on instagram and her book club at @tonguesofstone. You can find Blood Orange Zine and their upcoming summer zine at https://bloodorangezine.com/.

Islamophobia: The Perfect Cover for a Racist

*Police accompany an English Defence League march in Hyde, Greater Manchester. Credit: PA*

By Wali Khan

26th March 2025

In the 21st century racism is no longer trendy; unfortunately for racists, it is now socially condemned. Despite this, the impulse to hate remains, and the racists have evolved. They target a specific group of people, crafting a narrative of threat. However, the cover story is never about ‘race’. It is about ideology. The modus operandi remains the same: smear, demonise, ostracise, while violence simmers beneath the surface. They will insist they are not those racists of the past – oh no, those monsters directly committed or contributed to horrific acts like genocide, apartheid and enslavement. Despite their misdirection, it is not difficult to see the truth when looking for it: hate cloaked in a disguise of righteousness.

Although it may be intertwined with certain biological traits, race is not simply an objective biological reality; it is a product of our societal constructs. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, Frank Roque murdered Balbir Singh Sodhi, an Indian-American Sikh man – mistaking him for an Arab Muslim. Sikhs and Arabs share a similar phenotype. That of a brown person, this is further exacerbated when it is a brown man with a head covering and a beard. Post 9/11, this phenotype has been demonised, linked with acts of terrorism, and turned into a race of its own. Unfortunately for Balbir Singh Sodi, he matched this description and fell victim to an Islamophobic attack despite not being a Muslim. This horrific act, and countless others like it, exposes the deep-seated racism in Islamophobia. To deny the racist underpinning of Islamophobia is to be wilfully ignorant or completely disingenuous.

In an interview last year, Sky News presenter Kay Burley suggested that former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s ethnicity, rather than his government’s policies or actions, somehow disprove accusations of Islamophobia within the government. Rishi Sunak is, in fact, not a Muslim, so on the surface level, Burley’s comments seem entirely nonsensical. However, in reality, they expose their true sentiments: if you are a brown man, you are considered Muslim. Again, this highlights the ridiculous nature of any arguments attempting to suggest Islamophobia has nothing to do with race. Whether intentional or not, her remarks underscore a dangerous issue: the tendency to downplay or ignore Islamophobia in society, branding it as a legitimate criticism of ideology. All while brushing the deep-rooted racism under the rug. Furthermore, Kay Burley’s reference to Sunak’s ethnicity as a defence against Islamophobia echoes a familiar pattern of tokenisation, a lazy attempt to dismiss criticism by pointing to the presence of an ethnic minority in a position of power.

More alarmingly, Islamophobic rhetoric is becoming increasingly normalised in British politics with the likes of Nigel Farage and the Reform party. Last year former Conservative MP Lee Anderson claimed that “Islamists” control Sadiq Khan, the Muslim Mayor of London. Islamists are fundamentalists who aim to establish a political system based on Sharia law. This accusation ignores Khan’s record of liberal values, for which he has received numerous death threats from actual islamists. The language used by Anderson, and the support he received from fellow MPs shows a deliberate refusal to distinguish between the majority of Muslims and radical Islamists. Islam itself is being framed as a threat.

I spoke to Belal Stitan, a media graduate from the London School of Economics, about how Islamophobia is embedded in the media we consume, even in children’s films. He pointed to Aladdin as a clear example. In the film, the heroes like Aladdin and Jasmine are portrayed with more Eurocentric features and speak with American accents, while villains like Jafar have darker skin, exaggerated facial features, and thick, foreign-sounding accents.

Belal explained that this kind of visual and vocal coding sends a powerful message to young viewers: characters who look and sound “Western” are good and trustworthy, while those who don’t are suspicious, dangerous, or evil. It’s a subtle but deeply harmful form of programming that teaches children to associate eurocentricism with goodness and anything else with threat or barbarism.

Aladdin, Jafar, and Jasmine from left to right in Disney’s Aladdin

Growing Islamophobia is extremely dangerous for Muslims in the UK and all around the world, especially in such a polarised climate. in 2024 anti-Muslim assaults surged by 73%. The leaders of this country need to do more to protect this minority group. Muslims in the UK have been demonised for decades culminating in last year’s Southport riots. More broadly this language of hate and fear has manufactured consent for the murders of tens of thousands of Palestinians in 2024.

In this week’s episode of the Young Ones Politics Hour I conducted a detailed analysis on Islamophobia with insights from an Islamophobia expert, a former member of parliament and a British-Palestinian activist. You can listen to the special feature now at Liverpool Politics Hour on Spotify.

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From the Sydney Jones to Westminster: Honey Barlow Marshall

Honey Barlow Marshall, University of Liverpool Philosophy, Politics and Economics student

By Wali Khan

13th March 2025

Many of us, especially those passionate about politics, dream of making a real impact on the country we live in. But very few of us actually get the opportunity to do so. Honey Barlow Marshall, a University of Liverpool PPE student, wasn’t willing to wait for an opportunity to come to her. Instead, at just 14 years old, she took matters into her own hands and immersed herself in the world of local politics.

Informed political participation is the backbone of a functioning democracy. Historically, many philosophers, including Socrates and Plato criticised democracy, arguing that the general public lacked the knowledge to make sound political decisions. The idea that politics should be reserved for an elite few still lingers today, but young people like Honey prove otherwise. By encouraging youth involvement, we cultivate a generation capable of making informed decisions about their future, challenging the notion that only “Philosopher Kings” are fit to govern.

Honey’s journey into politics began when she became Youth Officer for the Labour Party at just 14 years old. From there, she quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Chair of her constituency and later Secretary, all while navigating the skepticism and resistance that came with being a young woman in leadership.

Moving 200 miles away from her home in Lyme Regis for university, Honey didn’t leave her work behind. While balancing her academic studies, she continued campaigning, engaging in community work, and pushing for political change. In the most recent general election, her dedication was recognised when she was selected as a candidate for her local constituency under the Labour Party. Although she declined due to university commitments, it was a testament to the years of hard work she had already put in.

A surge in youth political participation brings fresh perspectives to government, challenging outdated norms and making policymaking more inclusive. In the 2024 general election, the House of Commons welcomed 10 MP’s from Gen Z. The same election also resulted in a record 263 female MP’s being elected, making up 40.5% of Parliament.

This growing diversity means our political system is becoming more representative of society as a whole. After all, if decisions are made primarily by one demographic, they will naturally cater to that group’s experiences and needs, not necessarily out of malice, but out of familiarity. Bringing new voices into the conversation challenges long-standing biases and ensures a broader range of perspectives are considered in policy making.

On this week’s episode of The Young Ones Politics Hour, I sat down with Honey to discuss her time inside Parliament while on placement with Labour MP Richard Burgon. She shared how the experience transformed her view of politics and opened up about some fascinating encounters – including an interaction with Che Guevara’s daughter.

You can listen to the full interview now on Spotify at Liverpool Politics Hour!

The Royal Marines Commando at our University: Sebastian O’Callaghan

Sebastian O’Callaghan, University of Liverpool Economics Society President

By Wali Khan

6th March 2025

Imagine being 17 years old and instead of hearing that your whole life is ahead of you, you’re told your future is over before it even begins. That was the reality for Sebastian O’Callaghan. Not particularly academically motivated, he achieved four U grades in his first-year mock exams. His college supervisors didn’t see potential, they saw failure. At just 17, he was asked to leave. So, he did.

Many young people are in this same position. Traditional academia isn’t designed for everyone, yet every student is forced to fit within its rigid framework. Too often, young people are convinced that struggling in school means they’re incapable of success. Sure, we’ve all heard of the billionaire entrepreneurs who were poor students but went on to change the world. But for every one of those success stories, there are thousands of others who are left behind, drained into mediocrity by a system that doesn’t recognise their potential.

At the end of 2023, 16.4% of 16-18-year-olds were not in education or training. That number is a wake-up call. We need to have serious conversations about why our education system is failing so many young people. But if you’re in that position right now, Seb’s journey should serve as proof that your story isn’t over. Not even close.

Fast forward to today: Seb is studying economics at the University of Liverpool, averaging a first in his degree. He’s also the President of the Economics Society and is on track for a promising career in finance. But his road to success was anything but easy.

Between dropping out of college and starting university, Seb struggled with depression and a loss of identity. Searching for purpose, he set his sights on one of the toughest challenges out there – the Royal Marines. The odds weren’t in his favor. It’s estimated that out of 26,000 applicants each year, only 400 successfully complete training.

And then there were the doubters, including his own father. But Seb was determined. He endured the grueling training, proved everyone wrong, and earned the coveted Green Beret, becoming a Royal Marines Commando. In our interview, he shared what that experience meant to him. The same student who was told he wasn’t good enough for college had proved to himself that he was more than capable. He just needed to be in the right environment to thrive.

While deployed with the Marines, Seb didn’t stop pushing himself. He self-taught three A-levels and secured an offer to study economics at the University of Liverpool, all despite having only four GCSEs and no predicted A-level grades. That level of determination is difficult to measure by exam scores.

At university, he didn’t just study economics, he became a leader. In our interview, he talked about running for President of the Economics Society and shared some of his campaign tactics.

“Well, I think if anyone read my manifesto, it included a bit of humour… I also made sure to discredit some of the other candidates.”

– Sebastian O’Callaghan

Seb’s story is a testament to resilience and self-belief. If you’ve ever doubted yourself because of academic struggles, let this be your reminder: your potential isn’t defined by a school report card.

For the full conversation, tune into the Liverpool Politics Hour on Spotify and hear Seb talk about his journey, his time in the Marines, and what it really takes to turn things around.

Haysam Shakeel: Dismantling the South Asian Footballing Stereotype

By Wali Khan

19th February 2025

Haysam Shakeel, University of Liverpool FC first team head coach

How many South Asians are in the top five leagues of football? If you struggled to name any, it’s because there are none. Out of a population of almost 2 billion, not a single South Asian currently plays or coaches at the highest level of European football. In the UK, where South Asians make up over 3.4 million of the population, only 22 are in the professional game, just 0.25% of the total number of professional footballers.

This begs the question: why?

For years, the narrative has been that South Asians simply aren’t interested in football. But this argument falls apart when you consider that football is one of the most popular sports across the Indian subcontinent and within British South Asian communities. A recent survey from Sport England showed more than twice as many British South Asian adults played football compared to cricket. So, if the passion exists, why aren’t South Asians making it to the professional level?

This is what I discussed with Haysam Shakeel, a South Asian football coach determined to break through the barriers.

Haysam’s coaching journey began at Manchester City’s academy in Abu Dhabi, where he gained invaluable experience working alongside top-level coaches. When he moved to Manchester, he continued his association with the club, further refining his coaching philosophy. Now, while pursuing a Philosophy degree at the University of Liverpool, he has taken on a significant role as the head coach of the university’s men’s first team, a rare achievement for someone so young.

We spoke about the challenges of stepping into such a high responsibility position at a young age. Managing players who are the same age as him, and in the same stage of life, has created a unique dynamic, one that requires a careful balance of authority, leadership, and camaraderie. But that’s just one of many challenges he has faced in his coaching career.

Beyond his personal journey, Haysam also shared his ambitions for the future. He is committed to breaking institutional barriers that have long prevented South Asians from reaching the highest levels of football, both as players and coaches. Drawing on his own experiences, he offered valuable insights into the systemic reasons behind South Asian underrepresentation in the sport.

Through our conversation, he painted a clear picture of the struggles South Asian footballers and coaches encounter, from limited scouting opportunities and ingrained stereotypes to the lack of a clear pathway into elite-level coaching. But he also highlighted what can be done to change the narrative and ensure that the next generation of South Asian footballers and coaches have a fair shot at success.

I want to pave the way and give coaches who are under-represented a chance to express themselves, on and off the pitch

– Haysam Shakeel

You can listen to the full interview with Haysam on Spotify at Liverpool Politics Hour

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“Back then, there was nothing else to do!” – DuoVision, Queer Communities and the Importance of Clubs in the 1990s

By Harry Ashcroft

11th February 2025

Gallery image by Rob Battersby, from OpenEye’s website

This week, I had the absolute honour of speaking to artistic duo Martin Green and James Lawler, known together as DuoVision. They currently have three ongoing exhibitions: Outlaws at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, The Holly Johnson Story at the Museum of Liverpool, and the focus of my interview with them, For Your Pleasure: 15 Years of DuoVision at the OpenEye Gallery.

The exhibition uses photography and film to “reflect on and celebrate the fledgling queer club culture of the 90s in the UK”. Martin spoke to me about his past experiences as a DJ and running the London club Smashing in the 90s, as well as how he and James met and began creating exhibitions together. They felt that certain artists had been neglected, overlooked and gone out of fashion despite contributing to the UK’s cultural landscape, and for them, DuoVision was about showcasing these artists to an inter-generational audience.

“(Smashing) was a club for misfits… and a lot of gay misfits – but a lot of those misfits ended up having huge pop careers”

– Martin Green, one half of DuoVision

We discussed the cultural movements of the 90s and the ‘straightness’ of the arts compared to the preceding decades. Martin and James explained the devastating effect that the AIDS epidemic had on queer culture in the UK and the importance of clubs in providing connections and safe spaces for these marginalised communities.

“Combination therapy (for HIV) didn’t come in until 1995… the first part of the 1990s was still a difficult time – you still had a Tory government… (and) the antithesis to that – all those awful things – was going out and clubbing”

– James Lawler, one half of DuoVision

These marginalised and LGBTQ+ communities experienced prejudice from both the Conservative government and the mainstream culture and it was simultaneously fascinating, upsetting and hopeful to hear Martin and James recount these experiences combined with the other factors listed above.

We moved on to the methods of experiencing art and the way this has shifted with the advent of new technology. James touched on their method of printing large pictures to immerse audiences in the art, a practice that forces people to reflect and react to art together. I found the entire discussion extremely captivating, and I like to think James and Martin felt the same.

“(The 90s) get retold, and I wanted to tell it again but from my perspective, which was a kind of art school, underground, queer perspective”

– Martin Green

This article is an adapted version of a Politics in Motion radio interview. You can listen to the whole interview on Spotify and below.

Is this Britain’s Most Eccentric Pub Landlord?

By Harry Ashcroft

November 28, 2024

The cosy interior of the Politimore Arms, featuring a pint of the only draught drink they have, an Exeter Ale. Note also the candle on the left-hand side.

Last month I made the six-hour, England-splitting semi-circular drive from Liverpool down to North Devon to celebrate my Grandma’s 80th birthday. On the second afternoon there, as a group of us traversed the narrow country lanes, a glowing sight welcomed us in from the bleak and windy Exmoor hills. A humble and simple exterior that didn’t accurately show off the storied saga waiting for us inside.

“Whatever it takes, we don’t care. The pub is never going to shut.”

— Steve Cotten, Landlord of the Poltimore Arms

The humble yet inviting exterior of the pub. The sign on the left reads “Frederick Albert Hitler and partner Stephen Cotten. Licensed to sell intoxicating liquor for consumption on or off the premises and insult customers.” The late Fred Hitler was Steve’s old cat.

The Poltimore Arms is unlike any pub I’ve ever been in. Firmly cash only, completely off the grid and run by candles, solar panels and water from the spring up the hill. Its most notable aspect, however, is its landlord, who, much to my surprise, is already quite famous, as Britain’s Grumpiest Landlord.

Steve Cotten and his pub have been featured in major news outlets across Britain over the last few years. He is a man full of tales and anecdotes of the last decade of running the Poltimore Arms.

I asked if he would sit down and talk to me about how he runs the pub and what makes it so unique, as well as his political involvement as a parliamentary candidate for North Devon in the last two general elections. He was more than happy to oblige and the next day I returned, where before I had even begun conducting the interview he had begun working the audience of pub dwellers that consisted mainly of my extended family. Steve loves an audience.

The Interview

“My only business plan – Don’t do what the other pubs do because they’re all f***ing failing.”

Steve in his chair surrounded by tea, tobacco and day drinkers.

Steve was invested in the interview. He informed me of his disappointment that I hadn’t brought a camera crew with me as he had “spent all morning” combing his hair. As it was only 2pm he was sat in his usual seat by the fire with a cup of tea. The rest of us in the pub had chosen to indulge in that day’s keg of Exeter Ale, self-poured so that we couldn’t “go on TripAdvisor and say the service was rude.” This created what I would call Steve’s “optimum storytelling atmosphere.”

We covered a lot of ground.

Steve explained how the pub is completely off-grid. The water comes from a spring two miles up the hill. When they run into water supply-related issues (a fairly often occurrence apparently), he puts a post on the pub’s Facebook page and the next day wakes up with five-gallon drums of water sitting outside, dropped off by local farmers. The electricity in the pub is supplied by newly set up solar panels.

“I don’t do food… Well, my barmaid cooks stuff on a Thursday night, but you wouldn’t want to eat that. I mean it really is diabolical.”

Steve explained how he had learnt to ride a horse to impress a woman who lived down the road, a Times art critic. This then led to the Poltimore Arms creating the countries only Pub Polo team. Despite being legally blind, Steve is apparently quite the polo player.

What really struck me, besides Steve’s constant jokes and his supposed parliamentary candidacy core policy of “free hair colouring on the National Health Service” for “the most oppressed minority in the world – ginger people,” was the true sense of community spirit that enveloped the foundations of the pub.

“It’s just p***heads basically, it’s all about the community working together.”

He explained how when elderly people in the community are sick or need help, the pub will ensure someone goes around to cut their grass or do their shopping. He says it’s all about looking after each other. To me, this is why the pub is so successful. Despite being in the middle of nowhere with not even a village connected to it, the sense of companionship is overwhelming. This is what makes places like this so vital in rural communities.

This article is an adapted version of a Politics in Motion radio special feature. You can listen to it, as well as my whole interview with Steve, on Spotify.

Why is the ‘godfather’ of AI warning us from its dangers?

Written By Yasmeen Alsayghe

Friday May 12th, 2023

What is AI?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is known to be “a system’s ability to correctly interpret external data, to learn from such data, and to use these learnings to achieve specific goals and tasks through flexible adaptation” (Kaplan and Haenlein, 2019). To use the analogy made by AI’s godfather Dr. Hinton, imagine 100,000 people whereby if one person learns something, the 99,999 others will automatically learn it too. This is known as a neural network, which is a system similar to the human brain in the way it learns and process information or even experience situations.

Although AI has been quite popular -especially chatbots- since its introduction, it has been quite controversial in the last few months.

Should we be concerned?

(Kevin Roose, NYT)

Kevin Roose (2023) -a New York Times journalist- decided to do an experiment on Bing chatbot by asking questions and deciding if the chatbot would demonstrate certain levels of rebellion. The results were shocking ranging from naming itself, sharing plans to takeover the world by shutting down systems, and even confess love to Roose. But fear not, Roose ensured that ‘so far’ Bing’s Chatbot still requires human input and orders to function while also highlighting the risks this technology holds. For more on Roose’s experiment, click here.

(Sky news, 2023)

As of May 2023, Geoffrey Hinton who is widely known as the godfather of AI quits his job at google along with showcasing regrets and warnings of how AI has developed to reach an extraordinary dangerous level endangering the human race. Dr. Hinton’s research paved the way for the introduction of the current chatbots such as ChatGPT. In an interview with the BBC, Dr. Hinton’ added that the latests developments of the AI chatbots were “quite scary”, while also ensuring that AI isn’t ‘currently’ as intelligent as human beings, but they they might be very soon. Dr. Hinton elaborated this idea by explaining that AI can be taught certain ideas by ‘bad actors’ such as “I need more power” -something that’s usually seen in dystopian Hollywood movies- to pursue their indoctrinated goals. Therefore, there has been demands to stop new developments of AI especially chatbots to invest in safety and control.

According to the CNN, tech leaders including Elon Musk, have called AI labs to pause any further AI developments and trainings by signing a letter, which was published after the introduction of ChatGPT version 4 by OpenI. They identified the growing risks AI has over humanity and urge to create a set of protocols for AI tools that guarantees the safety of an extraordinary growing technology. Nevertheless, it should be noted that AI is extremely useful when not imagined in bad scenarios. Think of Siri, Alexa, and any other system that consistently helps you throughout your day. The latest ChatGPT version has a better ability to work with photos, to help you prepare a meal, or even what you need to draw pictures you upload. Additionally, it has made coders’ lives easier by being able to produce codes or even websites when asked. However, when it comes to students, how can ChatGPT help them in their academic lives without risking their academic integrity?

How is AI affecting students’ academic development?

ChatGPT has been popularized amongst students when it was first introduced, thinking that it would do a better job than students in writing their essays or assignments. Therefore, I did an experiment on ChatGPT where I asked it to write me a 1000 words essay on “Does the CNN effect still exists?”. Don’t worry, this essay question was already submitted and marked! But I used it specifically to know whether ChatGPT will provide me with the academic resources to support my arguments in the essay, while also being able to critically think and analyze the arguments.

Even though impressed by its ability to generate an essay, ChatGPT acted as a wikipedia page by introducing facts with no critical thinking or analysis throughout the essay which is what students are mainly marked for. Additionally, it was apparent that at some stage, ChatGPT introduced misinformation and invented inexistent resources. But that wasn’t enough for me to challenge ChatGPT abilities. Therefore, as an Arab, I used the exact question but wrote it in Arabic “هل لا يزال تاثير السي ان ان موجود؟”. ChatGPT showed extreme weakness when the orders became in Arabic, which indicate ChatGPT’s inability to work with different languages at the same level of analysis it has with English. This is particularly interesting as the neural network is supposed to circulate knowledge across its network but the language barrier is strong within AI that it has led to inability to generate the required response.

To learn more about my experiments with AI, listen here.

All about endometriosis: the silent condition affecting millions of women

By Emily Smith

Endometriosis might just be the most widespread medical condition you’ve never heard of. One in ten women in the UK have endometriosis, and yet it takes an average of eight years for a diagnosis to made. Doctors are often dismissive or ill-informed, perpetuating the harmful stigmas that already exist around women’s health.

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb is found elsewhere in the body. This tissue breaks down every month, causing chronic pain and discomfort. Endometriosis can also cause heavy periods, pain during sex and infertility.

Following on from our discussion on the Lunch Bunch with Ffion Brighton on endometriosis, I wanted to share my experiences living with the condition and explore why this is a condition that so often flies under the radar.

I was seventeen when I finally went to my GP to complain about my period pain for the first time. For as long as I can remember, I have experienced chronic period pain every month, often causing me to miss school. Myself and those around me brushed off this constant pain, saying it as normal, and something that happened to every woman. I convinced myself that I was just unlucky with the periods I was getting. I don’t blame those around me for this messaging; the misinformation surrounding women’s reproductive health infiltrates everybody, myself included. I can’t remember what finally prompted me to go to the doctors, but as soon as I did I was told I had suspected endometriosis and put straight on the contraceptive pill in an attempt to mask my symptoms. No further questions, no further tests.

Endometriosis is difficult to diagnose and impossible to cure. Anybody living with this disease knows this all too well. These two factors combined often discourages women from advocating for a formal diagnosis of the disease from their doctors, myself included. If there is no cure, then what’s the point in being diagnosed, if not for a few words on a piece of paper? At least that’s what I thought.

The truth is that diagnosis can be empowering for people living with a chronic condition. Being able to definitively know that what you’re suffering with even exists is an invaluable part of someone’s journey through a chronic condition. Diagnosis can be bittersweet, offer clarity and help bring about change and treatment. But with an average wait of eight years before diagnosis, it’s perhaps no wonder why women are reluctant to seek help from their doctors. Diagnosis is also invasive, with a laparoscopy being the only way to formally determine endometriosis.

Treatment options are not much better. My experience of being put straight on the pill at such a young age is congenial with many other women’s experiences. There is still very little research done into the long term side effects of the pill, especially psychological ones. This is the case with most medical research done on women’s reproductive health. To put this into context, there is 5 times more research into erectile dysfunction which only affects 19 per cent of men, than in premenstrual syndrome, which affects 90 per cent of women.

Just last month, the i reported the stories of two women who were put on the contraceptive pill at a young age for painful periods, which masked their symptoms and lead to a missed diagnosis of endometriosis. Not only is the condition getting worse during this time, but it also has a harmful effect on the mental health of women who feel their symptoms are being dismissed. Doctors advising young women presenting with symptoms of endometriosis to go on the pill without any further investigations of questions (as in my experience) can be dangerous and detrimental to a woman’s physical and mental health. This can force women to choose between being in constant physical pain, or mental distress.

So what can we do? There is already a societal stigma that discourages anybody from speaking about their reproductive health. But it is these conversations that are so important in putting endometriosis and women’s sexual health on the public and medical agenda. Speaking about reproductive health and championing the voices that are is the first step. Be a part of the solution and take a listen to our episode to learn more about endometriosis and its impact. You’ll hear from Ffion Brighton and Millie, who suffers from endometriosis and tells her story about her experiences with the disease.

For more discussions on important conversations, you can catch up with every episode of the Lunch Bunch on Spotify and Soundcloud.

TikTok: Is it time to clock out of the app?

14th March 2022

Written by Ffion Brighton

Sometimes all you can be bothered to do is stare at your tiny screen and scroll for hours on end. When you have an app that gives you a constant stream of indulgent content, why would you spend your time on anything else?

For the past 4 years, TikTok has become a staple form of social media for young people. It’s seen as such an attractive pastime that many people feel themselves constantly reaching for their phones instead of dealing with the effort of day-to-day tasks.

“TikTok makes me procrastinate a lot. I’ll postpone things I need to do and take way longer breaks as I think I’ll be on the app for only a few minutes, but I’ve actually been on it for half an hour.”
Ebony, Liverpool

What makes this app so addictive? Does constantly consuming quick-paced content decrease young people’s attention span? What can be done to break the habit of relying on your phone for entertainment? These questions were answered in a recent interview with the wonderful Professor Peter Kinderman, a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Liverpool.

So, what makes this app so addictive?

“I’d say TikTok has shortened my attention span to some degree. It feels like nowadays if something doesn’t draw attention within like ten seconds, then you think ‘oh never mind’ and move on”
Richie, Liverpool

Professor Kinderman explained how the app is designed for you to be a consumer, and the payment is your attention. The algorithm is created to maintain your attention by feeding you catered content, making you want to scroll constantly. In his words, it’s like going to Morrisons and seeing a 2-for-1 offer on a packet of crisps. You may have gone to the shop intending to buy only the necessities, but now your attention is drawn to the deal. Ultimately, you feel compelled to consume something you crave rather than what you actually need.

This is just like what TikTok does. Maybe you went on your phone to reply to a message from your mate, but now you find yourself on the app, scrolling for hours because you’re getting more entertainment than you bargained for.

Is TikTok decreasing our attention spans?

When asking the public about their experience with the app, the majority felt they used it as a mode of procrastination

“It really does affect my productivity and getting out of bed, things like that. I could stay glued to the screen for hours and hours and hours.”
Brooke, Northern Ireland

Personally, I can relate to this. When a massive assignment is due, sometimes it can be so overwhelming that I feel drawn to the app instead of working on the important task. It made me wonder: Is the app actively decreasing our attention spans?

Professor Kinderman doesn’t think that’s the case. For generations, young people have been known for finding it difficult to pay attention for long periods of time. It is not a matter of our attention spans decreasing, but rather that we now have an app that is formatted to be attractive to those with low attention spans.

The prefrontal cortex doesn’t fully develop until the age of 25. This area of the brain assists us in self-discipline, impulse control, and postponing immediate gratification. This means that anyone under 25 will typically be drawn to TikTok and struggle to put their phone down.

Kinderman doesn’t think it’s the fault of the user, but rather the developer of the app. It is designed to keep your attention, and with young people’s prefrontal cortex not being fully developed, it is difficult to resist the urge to stop scrolling. Those who created the app know this and make money on the fact that they can hold your attention for hours on end.

In what ways can you stop becoming addicted to the app?

Kinderman suggests finding a process that works for you. He found that having his desk facing the window gave him enough distraction to actually focus on the work at hand. Crucially, you want to make the decision; only you have the control to want to make a change.

Deciding to better your life is a conscious choice, and thus with TikTok, it entails setting limits on ourselves. A great way to do this is to have timers on the app to limit your usage. It is also important to have a conversation with yourself about whether you are going on the app for actual enjoyment, or rather to distract yourself from the things in life that you are avoiding.

The Round-Up

Ultimately, TikTok has the potential to be addictive. It takes advantage of the fact that its users want the content they like on a continuous scroll. Its ‘For You’ page is literally designed just FOR YOU! However, listening and speaking to Prof Kinderman has made me more aware of the fact that it doesn’t have to be an app you can’t detach yourself from. And it goes without saying, the app has some terrific features. It is incredible for introducing people to new information and connecting them with others across the globe.

But, if you find yourself glued to the app, I think we both know it may be time to clock out.

Want to find out more? Head over to the Liverpool Politics Hour on Spotify, where you can listen to my interview with Peter Kinderman and get a greater insight into what makes TikTok so addictive to young people.